A signature event during Golden Week in Fukuoka, Hakata Dontaku draws massive crowds—typically around two million over two days—making it one of Japan’s largest festivals. The name “Dontaku” is said to originate from the Dutch word zondag, meaning “Sunday” or “holiday.”
The festivities begin with the Hakata Matsubayashi, the festival’s historic core with roots stretching back over 840 years. Over two days, three auspicious gods on horseback, accompanied by a procession of children, visit more than 150 businesses and organizations across the city to offer blessings and good fortune.
Each afternoon, the spotlight shifts to Meiji-dori, where a 1.27 km stretch between Gofukumachi and Tenjin becomes the stage for the Dontaku Parade. Teams representing local companies and groups, known as Dontaku-tai, march, dance, and perform as thousands line the route to cheer them on.
The celebration spills into the rest of the city as well, with performances and events at over 40 special venues. From traditional music and dance to contemporary showcases, Fukuoka transforms into a vibrant festival city.
Date: 5/3 (Sat., hol.), 5/4 (Sun., hol.)
Venue: Fukuoka urban area (Hakata-ku ~ Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
Hakata Dontaku Event Schedule 2025
5/2 (Fri.)
• Eve of ceremony
5/3 (Sat., hol.)
• Opening Ceremony
5/4 (Sun., hol.)
• Dontaku Flower Marching Bands
• Grand Finale: So Odori
5/3 (Sat., hol.) & 5/4 (Sun., hol.)
• Hakata Matsubayashi Parade
• Dontaku Parades
• Special Guest Parade Groups
• Stage Performances
• Flower Cars
• Hakata-ekimae Dontaku Street
Dontaku Trivia
• Origins of Dontaku
• A True Citizen’s Festival
• Hakata Matsubayashi
• Dontaku Symbols
• Dontaku Song
• Flower Cars
• Official Goods
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
Eve of ceremony
As the festival kicks off the next day, the citizens of Fukuoka, the Fukuoka Citizens’ Festival Promotion Association, and other Dontaku supporters will gather to celebrate the opening of Dontaku. The event will commence with a performance by the Police Band and the entrance ceremony of Hakata Matsubayashi. This will be followed by a children’s dance and a performance by the previous year’s winning Dontaku team. This year’s special guest is the singer Nanase Aikawa.
• 5/2 (Fri.): doors open 16:00~ ceremony begins 17:00~20:30
• Venue: Festival main stage (Fureai Hiroba, Fukuoka City Hall)
• Free viewing
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/eve-of-festival/
Opening Ceremony
The Fukuoka City Mayor, along with festival organizers, makes opening remarks to kick off the festival.
• 5/3 (Sat., hol.)
• 11:00~11:30
• Venue: Main stage in front of Hakata Sta. (JR Hakata Sta.)
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/ceremony/
Hakata Matsubayashi Parade
The origins of this festival date back 840 years, and its essence has remained largely unchanged. The parade is led by three gods of fortune riding on horseback, accompanied by a group of dancing children. You can check the order and current location of Hakata Matsubayashi in real time to keep up with the festivities.
• 5/3 (Sat, hol.), 5/4 (Sun., hol.)
• 9:00~17:00
• Venue: Departs from Kushida Shrine (1-41 Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka)
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/matsubayashi/
Kyushu Live – Hakata Dontaku – Matsubayashi Parade
Dontaku Parades
Along a 1,270-meter stretch of Meiji-dori, between Gofukumachi and Tenjin, Donkaku troupes will parade in a variety of festive costumes. Paid bleacher seating is available at Suijo Park, offering a slightly elevated view that’s ideal for watching the colorful parade—and perfect for photography.
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• 5/3 (Sat., hol.) 13:05~19:00, 5/4 (Sun., hol.) 14:05~19:00
• Dontaku Hiroba (Gofuku-machi intersection ~ Fukuoka City Hall)
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/program/parade/
Tourist Grandstand Seats (located within Suijo Park):
– Advance tickets: ¥3,500, On-the-day tickets: ¥4,000 (day pass; all seats unreserved)
* On-the-day tickets will be sold at the temporary tourist information office inside Suijo Park. If advance tickets are sold out, no on-the-day tickets will be available.
・https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/sajiki-seki/
Kyushu Live – Dontaku Parade
Dontaku Flower Marching Bands
Marching bands of students, companies and government agencies perform.
• 5/4 (Sun., hol.)
• 14:10~15:40 (parade), 15:30~17:10 (festival)
• Venue: Dontaku Hiroba (Meiji-dori Ave.), Festival main stage (Fureai Hiroba, Fukuoka City Hall)
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/marching/
Special Guest Parade Groups
Festivals from Kurume, Shimabara, the Michinoku area, as well as international participants from Thailand and Malaysia, Indonesia, will join the parade at “Dontaku Hiroba.” This event serves as an opportunity for cultural exchange as festivals from around the country and abroad come together to celebrate.
• 5/3 (Sat., hol.) 14:25~, 5/4 (Sun., hol.) 15:18~
• Venue: Dontaku Hiroba (Meiji-dori Ave.)
• Parade schedule
Hakata-ekimae Dontaku Street
Bitesize Hakata versions of the Dontaku parades, traveling 150 m from Hakata-ekimae 2-chome Intersection towards the river. This year, the event will see the highest participation ever, with a total of 38 groups and approximately 2,200 participants over two days.
• 5/3 (Sat., hol.): 10:00~11:30, 5/4 (Sun., hol.): 10:00~13:00
• Venue: Hakata Ekimae-dori
• https://hakata-machi.jp/bustles/4964/ (program)
Flower Cars
The tradition of decorated “Hana Jidosha” parade vehicles began in 1949 as part of the Dontaku Festival. Each year, large vehicles are adorned with around 10 million LEDs and artificial flowers, themed to reflect current trends. This year’s three floats feature themes including the “Fukuoka Anpanman Children’s Museum in Mall,” Nishitetsu’s bus and train mascots “Baba Basuo & Gatanko to Gotonko,” and local sports teams—the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Avispa Fukuoka—as they aim for league victories and promotion to J1. The floats will travel through various parts of the city, reaching areas like Meinohama and Ohashi. This year’s vehicles run on next-generation, eco-friendly biodiesel fuel, and their real-time locations can be tracked via the “Nishitetsu Hana Jidosha Navi.”
• 5/2 (Fri.) ~ 5/4 (Sun., hol.)
• 5/2: 15:55~19:35, 5/3: 10:00~20:25, 5/4: 10:20~21:00
• Route (Operation Course): Around the Fukuoka City
• https://www.nishitetsu.jp/livingservice/hanaji/
Stage Performances
Groups participate in traditional and contemporary music, dance, song, and other performances at 40 stages around the city.
• 5/3 (Sat, hol.), 5/4 (Sun., hol.)
• Hours vary according to each performance
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/stage/
• Stage map
Grand Finale: So Odori
The Dontaku festival culminates with the “So Odori” dance, inviting the public to jump in and join the fun. Let’s come together and share the excitement!
• 5/4 (Sun. hol.)
• 17:50~18:20
• Venue: Gofuku-machi, Nakasu-Kawabata, Suijo Park (head office), Dontaku Hiroba
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/soodori/
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
Hakata Dontaku Trivia
Origins of Dontaku
The name Dontaku comes from the Dutch word for holiday (Zondag).
The origins of Hakata Dontaku can be traced back 840 years to the establishment of the Matsubayashi Parade. This has since developed into a fun celebration that is organized by Hakata locals. The event later became known as the Fukuoka Shimin Matsuri (Citizen’s Festival) since 1962.
Matsubayashi and Dontaku were suspended for eight years during the Second World War. However, the events resumed in 1946 soon after the end of the war to help rejuvenate Fukuoka. It is said that the sound of people marching through the rubble helped restore confidence among the locals. The following year, the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry helped organize the first full-scale post-war Dontaku Festival.
A True Citizen’s Festival
On May 3 and 4 this area buzzes with activity when about 650 groups of paraders and performers, totalling more than 33,000 people, participate in Dontaku. Groups and individuals from all over Kyushu descend on Fukuoka to join these parades: local citizens’ associations, schools, private companies, small businesses, marching bands and drum majorettes – all dancing freely in the street while showcasing their unique costumes and talents. Several international groups will share their own cultures whilst marching in the parades. This inclusion of overseas visitors fits very well with Dontaku’s current theme – celebrating Japan’s diversity – and is an occasion for people from all walks of life to meet and wish each other well.
While the highlight of the festival may be the two parades, Dontaku includes a variety of other entertainment, including floats, nighttime illuminations, food stalls and stage shows. Around 30 stages are erected throughout the city, an opportunity for thousands of people to take turns performing traditional dances, folk songs and contemporary music. Closing the two-day festival are rousing renditions of the Dontaku dance that spectators are invited to participate in. The intriguing mix of ancient traditions and modern exuberance make Dontaku a festival unlike any other in Kyushu – a unique blend of past and present, much like Japan itself!
Hakata Matsubayashi
This parade is the origin of the festival – it hasn’t changed much in 840 years! It departs at 8:50 from Kushida Shrine on May 3 (Fri.) and May 4 (Sat.). This colorful procession is led by three gods of fortune riding on horseback: Fukurokuju (god of long life), Ebisu (god of business) and Daikoku (god of wealth). They’re accompanied by a group of dancing children, who, in case the gods get above themselves, sing the special festival chant ‘iitate.’ In their wake follow thousands of local people in traditional dress, all performing the Matsubayashi custom of greeting each other through song and dance. This procession has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages and has been designated an Intangible Cultural Property by Fukuoka Prefecture. This group also leads the main Dontaku Parade on May 4.
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
Photo provided by the City of Fukuoka
Dontaku Symbols
The Dontaku Festival might not conjure up images as iconic as July’s Yamakasa Festival (no loincloths here!), yet some images are closely associated with it. The following three items in particular can be found on many Dontaku tourist brochures, magazine covers and souvenirs, making them unofficial Dontaku symbols.
Shamoji: All throughout the parade participants can be seen clapping these spoons to the beat of traditional music. But how exactly did an ordinary Japanese kitchen utensil, used to stir and serve rice, end up in this festival? The explanation goes that the shamoji evokes the image of a housewife busy preparing a meal, rushing out to join the passing parade!
Niwaka Mask: This mask is used in Hakata Niwaka, a style of traditional improvisational comedy performed at festivals. The term niwaka itself is said to stem from a local rice cracker brand called Niwaka Senbei, which contained a half mask in its box to be put on during niwaka performances. This way the comedian, who poked fun at established social conventions in witty Hakata dialect, could cleverly hide his identity from those he satirized!
Photo: Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau
Flower Hat: While the festival sports a huge variety of groups, each with their favorite costumes, one outfit choice that recurs often is the hanakasa, or flower hat. The origin of the flower hat is unknown – but what fashionable girl wouldn’t want to crown her cap with roses?
Dontaku Song
The Dontaku theme song “Bonchikawaiya” has seven verses but we’ve limited ourselves to including just the first one. Sing along as the parade passes and stun the locals with your knowledge of all things Dontaku!
“Bonchi Kawaiya Nenneshiya
Shinagawajoroshu wa Jumonme
Jumonme no Teppodama
Tamaya ga kawa e Supponpon”
If you’re interested, read about the history of the Dontaku song here!
Flower Cars
The parades of gorgeously decorated Flower Cars, hana jidosha, form an integral part of the Dontaku festivities. Three vehicles, each decorated with about 10,000 artificial flowers, approx. 1,200 LED and original designs that change every year, animate the festival atmosphere. Originally, tramways were used, but they were replaced by automobiles when tram service was suspended in 1977. At night the cars, illuminated by so many bulbs, are a splendid sight.
Car No. 1: Fukuoka Anpanman Children’s Museum in Mall
Car No. 2: Baba Basuo & Gatanko to Gotonko
Car No. 3: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks & Avispa Fukuoka
https://www.nishitetsu.jp/livingservice/hanaji/
Festival Food
Seasoned foreigners who’ve visited many matsuri have doubtlessly already acquainted themselves with Japanese festival fare. For those less familiar with these culinary delights, here are three local favorites.
Ringo-ame: Visitors with a sweet tooth won’t be able to resist the promised sugar high of these candied apples on a stick, coated with a hot red syrup that dries hard. The result is a translucent, bright red glaze, a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds! Other versions such as ichigo-ame (glazed strawberries) are on offer in season. Don’t break your teeth!
Ikayaki: This grilled squid snack, marinated in a sugary soy sauce, is great for munching on as you walk through the streets. Don’t take too much time chewing though – its texture becomes rubbery as it cools, making it hard work for your jaw!
Hashimaki: A type of okonomiyaki (savory pancake) popular at festivals is hashimaki – literally translated as “chopstick roll”. The okonomiyaki is served rolled (maki) around a pair of chopsticks (hashi) and topped with mayonnaise, seaweed flakes (nori) and fish flakes (katsuo). It’s eaten much like a corndog and is easy to enjoy on the go.
Official Goods
Original Dontaku goods will be on sale, such as special Dontaku edition Hakata wood charms (kifuda), folding fans (sensu) designed by well-known, Hakata-born graphic designer Isao Nishijima, writing paper (ippitsusen) and more. Great for souvenirs!
• Fukuoka Citizen’s Festival, 50th Anniversary book: ¥2,500 (limit 500 books)
• Original Hakata wood charm (kifuda): ¥500/pc
• Writing paper (ippitsusen): ¥300/pc
• Illustrated postcards: ¥450/set (5 pcs.)
• Hand towel (tenugui): ¥500/pc
• Wooden spoon (shamoji) w/ illustration: ¥1,000/set (2 pcs.)
• Wooden spoon (shamoji) w/ burnt seals: ¥500/set (2 pcs.)
• Original folding fan (sensu): ¥2,000/pc
• Hakata Dontaku Festival Original CD: ¥1,000
• Lucky bag (fukubukuro): ¥500/set
• Hakata playing cards (karuta): ¥2,200/set
Sold during the festival period at the Dontaku information counters in the following locations:
• JR Hakata Station Tourist Information Center 9:00~18:00
• Tenjin Special Information Center (Dontaku Hiroba, next to Suijo Park) 5/3 11:00~19:00, 5/4 12:00~19:00
• https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/view/goods/
Hakata Dontaku
Organizer: Fukuoka Citizens’ Festival Promotion Association (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau)
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Originally written in April 2016, updated April 2025.
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NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in Apr. 2016.
